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I laugh and catch her hand. “Kept it, though.”

Her smile fades.

“You did?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

For a moment, she just looks at me. Then she leans down and kisses me.

Softly.

Like she doesn't need anything from me except to know I'm here.

When she pulls back, her forehead rests against mine. “Happy birthday, Bishop.”

I close my eyes. And for the first time in a long fucking time, I don't wish the day had passed without anyone noticing.

Because she noticed.

She drove three hours to make sure I knew it.

And somehow, that means more than I know what to do with.

I tighten my arms around her. “Best birthday ever, Becks.”

She laughs softly. “You say that now. Wait until you're thirty.”

I smile against her hair. “Guess you'll have to stick around and find out.”

The words leave my mouth before I think about them.

Laney goes still.

Just for a second.

Then she lifts her head. “Is that an invitation?”

I look at her.

At the woman in my shirt.

In my bed.

The one who's known me since I was a kid and somehow still looks at me like I'm somebody worth choosing.

And for once, I don't reach for a joke.

“Yeah,” I tell her quietly. “I think it is.”

She smiles.

Then settles against me again.

And I lie there holding her, thinking about all the things I haven't figured out.

Declan.

Our families.